There’s A Fascinating Train Park In West Virginia And You’ll Want To Visit

In many ways, the railroad is responsible for the existence of many towns in West Virginia. The route it carved can be marked by the trail of cities it created along the way. One such town is Cass, and a fascinating celebration of railroad heritage can be found at the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park.

The town of Cass was founded in 1901. It was built as a company town for loggers who worked in the mountains nearby for the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company.

Railroad construction started in the same year. Its primary purpose was to haul lumber down from the mountains. In 1961, Cass was incorporated into the state park system. It has since become a tourist line operated by the Durbin and Greenbrier Railroad.

The park offers a two hour trip that begins and ends at Whittaker Station, and a five hour trip up to Bald Knob overlook, the third highest peak in the state. The train offers other packages throughout the year as well, including dinner train rides and holiday-themed packages.

You can stay in one of 20 refurbished company houses, each of which can sleep up to 14 people. Each house has a fully equipped kitchen, TV, Wi-Fi and linens. While visiting the park, you can visit the gift shop, tour the museum and dine at the Last Run Restaurant. The park also offers biking, fishing and geocaching, with off site availability for hiking, boating, golfing and hunting.

If you are fascinated by trains and the history they contribute to this region, be sure to put the Cass Scenic Railroad on your things to do list right away.

What other authentic trains or railroad themed excursions do you recommend? Feel free to comment below and join the discussion.